What Happened to the Value of Education? My Reflection

Last Saturday, my youngest child, Adam, graduated with a BA in Architecture. He’ll be starting graduate school in the fall while interning at a local architectural studio. His older brother, Aaron, earned his Political Science degree last year, works at the county, and is now pursuing his MPA at night. Their older sister, Alexandra, completed her BFA in 2022, her MFA in 2023, and is now working at an advertising agency in London.

I share this not to brag, but to reflect on something my wife and I have long believed in: the importance of education—not just as a means to a career, but as a foundation for thinking critically, contributing to society, and living with purpose. Our children’s academic journeys reflect that belief.

Lately, though, I find myself unsettled by the growing disregard for education in our national discourse.
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Across headlines and political rhetoric, higher education is often framed as unnecessary, elitist, or even suspect. We’re seeing colleges and universities portrayed as problems to solve rather than institutions to support. Some public figures now openly question whether a degree is worth anything at all—and while it’s true that not every path to success requires a diploma, it’s the larger message behind this shift that’s concerning.

There was a time—especially in the post-Sputnik era—when education was treated as a national priority. Investment in science, math, and technology was seen as essential to America’s future. Higher education was a public good. Today, we’re moving in the opposite direction. The long-term consequences of that shift deserve serious thought.

Because when we diminish the value of education, we risk more than job readiness. We risk weakening the very skills—critical thinking, media literacy, civic awareness—that a democracy depends on.

So what do we do?

I believe we begin by reasserting, calmly and confidently, that education still matters. That learning—whether in the arts, sciences, public service, or trades—is worth defending. We support policies that widen access to education and speak up when facts are twisted to erode trust in schools and universities. And at home, we continue to nurture curiosity, resilience, and intellectual growth in the next generation.

I’m proud of my children—not simply for their education, but for the thoughtful, capable people they’ve become through the process. That’s the real value of education. Let’s not lose sight of it.

Addendum: Trends and Resources on the State of U.S. Higher Education
Here are the sources that helped me articulate some of the trends and challenges mentioned in this post:

1. Declining Public Trust in Higher Education

• What’s happening: Public confidence in colleges and universities—especially among conservatives—has eroded over the past decade.
• ​Notable resource:
  • Pew Research Center (2023) – Public Trust in Higher Education Continues to Decline
  • ​Gallup (2023) – Confidence in Higher Ed Drops

2. Legislative and Political Pressure on Colleges

• What’s happening: Multiple states have passed or proposed laws targeting DEI programs, tenure, curriculum content, and campus speech policies.
• ​Notable resource:
  • Chronicle of Higher Education’s DEI Legislation Tracker – Monitor State Legislative Activity

3. Shifts in Enrollment and Perceived Value

• What’s happening: College enrollment has declined since 2012, with many young adults questioning whether the cost is worth it.
• Notable resource:
  • National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (2024) – Enrollment Trends
  • ​Strada Education Network (2023) – Perceptions of Postsecondary Education

4. STEM and National Investment: Then vs. Now

• What’s happening: U.S. investment in science and education surged during the space race but has stagnated or declined relative to other priorities in recent decades.
• Notable resource:
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) – Historical Trends in Federal R&D Funding
  • ​Brookings Institution – America’s Science and Tech Decline

5. The Liberal Arts Under Siege

• What’s happening: Liberal arts disciplines are being cut or downsized across many universities, often under the assumption that they don’t lead to “marketable” careers.
• Notable resource:
  • Inside Higher Ed (2023) – Liberal Arts Programs Face Cuts
  • ​American Academy of Arts & Sciences – Humanities Indicators

6. Critical Thinking, Media Literacy, and Democracy

• What’s happening: The decline in civic education and media literacy is weakening public resilience to disinformation and polarization.
• Notable resource:
  • Stanford History Education Group – Civic Online Reasoning Research
  • RAND Corporation – Truth Decay Initiative​